The Dallas Cowboys' defense might have looked just as bad as it did last year in a Week 1 loss, but team owner Jerry Jones has not lost faith in a Super Bowl run.
Jones joined Dallas local sports radio station 105.3 The Fan to discuss his expectations for the Cowboys this season – and whether they've changed after his team dropped the season opener to the New York Giants. During his radio appearance, Jones doubled down on his belief in the Cowboys as Super Bowl contenders, framing the Week 1 loss within the context of the 2025 season.
"I'll go to the two teams that played in the Super Bowl last year," Jones said. "They both lost their opening game. ... Both teams lost the opening game, both of them evolved as the season went along."
Cowboys have long way to reach Super Bowl expectations
In 2025, the Seattle Seahawks opened the season 0-1 with a loss to the San Francisco 49ers. They went on to lose just two more games en route to a Super Bowl 60 victory. Meanwhile, the New England Patriots started off with a loss to the Las Vegas Raiders – a team that won three games all of last year – before also finishing 14-3 and winning the AFC title.
Jones also reminded listeners that the Cowboys, under Jones' watch, have worked through slow starts to ultimately find success.
"Bear in mind, it's important (to remember): I've lost the first game and won the Super Bowl," he said, referring to the 1993 season in which the Cowboys started 0-2 before winning Super Bowl 28.
Jones concluded by doubling down on his belief in new Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker. He said he didn't believe the moment was too big for Parker in his first game as DC, but Jones also said the Cowboys' main focus is to continue improving the defense after an abysmal 2025.
During Week 1, Dallas allowed the Giants to tally 394 yards of total offense – seventh-most in Week 1 – and 28 points. New York also dominated time of possession, particularly in the second half, when it held the ball for about 21 of the 30 total minutes in the third and fourth quarters.
After the game, the Cowboys' odds to win Super Bowl 61 dipped slightly – from +2500 on Tuesday, Sept. 8 to +2800 on Tuesday, Sept. 15, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.
Next up for the Cowboys is another intradivisional test with the Washington Commanders coming to town in Week 2. Both teams enter the matchup 0-1 after losses within the NFC East.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jerry Jones re-affirms Super Bowl aspirations after Week 1 loss. Here's why
